Dancing Flames Visualize A Song’s Beats [Video]

Sounds waves are an amazing phenomenon which come to life in many different ways, but now you can add fire to the list! As shown on the science video blog Veritasium, the “Pyro Board” shows what happens when sound waves travel through flammable gas that has been set ablaze.

The idea is based on a Rubens’ Tube, a long tube that is able to illustrate stationary sound waves known as “standing waves.” When combined with music, the pressure variations caused by the sound waves affect the flow rate of flammable gas from the holes in the Pyro Board. Put simply, if affects the height and color of the flames, and makes for an impressive visual display.

For a more in-depth explanation of how it works, be sure to watch the first half of the video, but if you just want music and fire, then skip ahead to 3:38.